[98 SE SP 3.32]

i cant download it

All editions of 98 SE SP2 that I know of are available here.

HTH

[98 SE SP 3.32]

Gape is possible publish my Spanish translation Win98SE Service Pack 3.0 Beta 4.

To my knowledge Gape is not available for the time being.

But if you have a Spanish SP installer, please either e-mail it to me [rename the .exe extension to something like .exx (otherwise won't be accepted as attachment by my e-mail provider)] or e-mail me the link if you wish to post it on a site like MF (free to upload + download up to 30 days).

As soon as I'll get it, I'll post it at my site, where it can be downloaded from (no expiration date).

Thanks.

Best,

MDGx

[how to make Firefox the default browser...?]

Does anybody know how to make Firefox 3.5.13 and later versions the default browser for win98 ?

I have Internet Explorer 5 (bundled to Win98) installed and whatever I try, when I launch Firefox I get the "Firefox is not your default browser..." greeting.

I tried this fix by MDGX. This did not solve the issue. In fact, this registry key did not exist on my system at all, I had to add it manually. Maybe additional registry tweaking is necessary ...?

http://www.mdgx.com/newtip4.htm#DEFBROW1

Thanks for all help!

FYI, my old tip works only with old browsers [not updated in years :-(].

New Firefox editions beginning with 2.0.0.0 employ different methods to force themselves as default browser.

I do have a REG file that I'm using for this purpose, here it is, attached [pls see bottom of this post]...

Note that I removed the actual path to FIREFOX.EXE, this way the REG file can be used on any computer, no matter where FF is installed.

And btw, the path doesn't need to be specified, because whenever one (re)installs FF, it creates this reg key, which means you can use the executable anywhere [REG, BAT, VBS, HTA etc] without its path [default driver letter + folder names used here, may need to change to match your computer if different]:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\FIREFOX.EXE]
@="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox\\FIREFOX.EXE"
"Path"="C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox"

Also important...

FF command line for those reg values uses mandatory parameters:

- when browser starts from a web page [.htm, .html, .php, .xhtml, .dhtml, .phtml, etc] or their shortcuts:

FIREFOX.EXE -requestPending -osint -url "%1"

- when browser starts from a URL shortcut [.url]:

FIREFOX.EXE -url "%1"

""

are necessary for LFNs (Long File Names).

Similar thread [intended for Vista/2008/7, but works the same with Win9x OSes]:

HTH

DEF_FFOX.REG

[98SE Tips & Techniques]

With TweakUI (v1.33, for Win98, digitally signed 29-Aug-2000 by MS, no idea where to get it now) you can prevent any drive letter from being displayed in My Computer, but not in Windows Explorer.

All editions of TweakUI have always been available at my site...

http://www.mdgx.com/toy.htm#SYS

http://www.mdgx.com/98-3.htm#TUI

TUI 1.33 links point to the archived file [@ Internet Wayback Machine, a.k.a. Archive.org]:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070323001530/http://download.microsoft.com/download/winme/Install/1.0/WinMe/EN-US/Tweakui.exe

HTH

[Enable new modes in old AGP card?]

I have an old Dell Inspiron 3700 Laptop, with 440BX chipset, Pentium 3 500Mhz CPU and ATI Mobility M1 8MB AGP card. I want to know whether it is somehow possible to enable Banked VGA Write Combining (BVGAWC) and Linear Frame Buffer Write Combining (LFBWC) modes for this card under non-DOS-based operating systems.

Apparently in old systems, Intel left the implementation of these modes, and Write Posting (WP), to software/OS developers. Fortunately for DOS and 9x users, there is FastVid, which implements the modes from pure DOS:

http://www.mdgx.com/umb.htm#FAS

However, I've been unable to find a solution for NT-based systems (I use Windows 2000).

Does anyone know of a piece of software that could help?

I've sent you a PM on this subject.

HTH

[Windows 98 Error: Windows Media Player 9]

It gives me the same message. I've even tried running the installer silently.

All that does is extract the WMP9 setup to the "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\installer" folder.

Even IF I could connect to the internet through Win98, I probably wouldn't, when I can just run a WinNT variation on the same PC.

Is there anyone who knows how to install this without internet, or Win Update Manager access?

Try this:

1. Uninstall all traces of WMP from your computer:

HOW TO REMOVE WMP

Windows Media Player 9.0 (WMP9) can be completely uninstalled:

http://erpman1.tripod.com/current/wmp9del.htm

In case WMP was NOT properly/completely removed after installing 98MP10:

1. Restore original WMP *.MP9 files backed up by 98MP10: see "98MP10 BACKUP,

UNINSTALL + CLEANUP" chapter further above.

2. Run these 2 commands from a DOS box/session/window to re-register

original WMP DLLs + OCXs [substitute %windir% with your actual Windows

path = usually C:\WINDOWS]:

%windir%\INF\UNREGMP2 /UpdateWMP

%windir%\INF\UNREGMP2 /RegUniv

3. Uninstall WMP:

Start button -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> select

"Windows Media Player" -> click Add/Remove button -> reboot.

OR run this command:

SETUP_WM /Uninstall

from within C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player [default] folder.

4. If C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player [default] folder still exists,

delete it and all its subfolders + files [if any] manually by running this

command [change WMP drive letter and/or directory name below if different on

your computer(s)]:

DELTREE/Y "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player"

[Excerpt from 98MP10.TXT, just ignore the 98MP10 bits.]

2. Delete this registry key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Setup\Installed Versions]

How to delete a REG key:

http://www.mdgx.com/newtip16.htm#DRK

3. (Re)install unofficial WMP9 [13.3 MB]:

http://www.mdgx.com/spx/WMP90_98.EXE

HTH

[Windows 98/ME skin for Opera 10.50/60/70 and 11]

No problem.

Just let me know when.

Tx

[Better Softwares for specific situations in Windows 98]

@MDGX, I can't get the file you're pointing to to work, at least not with KernelEx 4.5 RC 4. I modified the file with Orca and it installs, but it just doesn't function. Am I missing something?

Looks like I had incorrect info. ;(

Somebody sent me the tip that this older version of Office Converters works with 98/ME OSes. [?]

I guess not, so I'll remove it from my web site.

Thanks for checking.

[98SE SP Icons]

@MDGx

How to change bitmap?

Same as you would change a shortcut icon with ICO, DLL or EXE file extension [and this applies to all shortcuts/links/URLs/etc icon change dialog boxes]:

Desktop -> right-click -> Properties -> Desktop tab -> Customize desktop button -> highlight Recycle Bin Empty / Full -> click Change icon button -> browse to desired file/library -> {a} type * in the "File name:" box and then press Enter -or- {b} under "Files of type:" select "All files" or "All file types" (if available) -> browse to whatever drive/partition + folder to select [highlight: single-click] desired BMP, RLE, ANI, CUR file or ICL, CPL library of icons [you have to do this because Windows doesn't recognize BMP, RLE, CPL, ICL, ANI or CUR as icons by default] -> double-click on it (select whatever icon if more than 1 = ICL, DLL, EXE, OCX files usually contain more than 1 icon) -> click Apply/OK.

More info:

http://www.mdgx.com/lastweek.htm#ANYGOES

All these file types work as shortcut icons in all Windows OSes.

HTH

[98SE SP Icons]

Don't be so smart. Any HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT... or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE... to change warning icon?

What do you mean?

HKCR [alias key] is same as HKLM\Software\CLASSES [real key] and as HKCU\Software\Classes [real key = clone], basically 1 is the other's "alias"/"clone"/"twin".

More info:

http://www.mdgx.com/reg.htm#RTS

Scroll down to...

"These 6 Hive Keys (HK) are interrelated: the information contained in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM) and HKEY_USERS (HKU) (the only 2 "real" keys) appears also in 3 other Hive Keys (also called "alias" keys):" and see the table right beneath that paragraph.

So in conclusion [and to add to the confusion ]...

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon]

is identical to...

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon]

and has another "clone"/"alias" at...

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\DefaultIcon]

HKCU takes precedence over HKLM [HKLM\Software\Classes is same as HKCR].

Therefore if you change a key/value under HKCU\Software\Classes, it will automatically change also under HKLM\Software\Classes to match [they are kept "synchronized"], except a few security "sensitive" values which change only under HKCU [current user], but not under HKLM [machine wide].

HTH

[Windows 98 Error: Windows Media Player 9]

Hello.

I've been receiving this error when I attempt to install the WMP 9 onto Windows 98 SE.

Windows Media Configuration Manager:

Setup is currently unable to detect available updates.

Please try again later.

I'm guessing this has something to do with either an internet connection being unavailable, or the Windows Update manager.

Is there any way to install the player without needing to check online for any MS update cr*p...?

Is there maybe a way to manually install WMP 9?

Check this out...

http://www.mdgx.com/wmp.htm#WMP9

Install Unofficial WMP9 [13.3 MB]:

http://www.mdgx.com/spx/WMP90_98.EXE

Unofficial WMP9 was created by one of our own: erpdude8. Pls PM him for questions.

HTH

[KernelEx 4.5.2]

To my knowledge KEX works by adding core, kernel + API functions for older non-NTx apps, has nothing to do with the hardware-to-software translation layer, i.e. drivers.

To create a tool like KEX to deal specifically with drivers, opens a whole new can of worms, and probably needs huge amounts of time + programming code, and maybe even kernel/core rewrites.

IMHO, I don't see this as a feasible solution.

But there are plenty of Windows 2000 + XP drivers out there [trial-and-error in some cases, depending on your specific hardware device +/- driver] which work out-of-the-box with 98/ME, or some need to be extracted from their NTx-only installer/archive and then run separately [eventually by hand by running the 9x OS Hardware Wizard and detect your specific device], or may just need minor INF tweaking to install properly. Which means the actual driver code is ok, just needs to be recognized by the 9x OS thru appropriate INF functions.

Same goes for Vista/7 drivers that can be used [some with minor tweaking] with 2000 + XP.

HTH

[98MP10 = WMP10 XP + XP SP3 Killer Replacements]

Apparently this fix did it. Everything looks good thanks.

Pffew...

Glad something actually works...

1 down, 1 to go.

[98SE2ME = Killer Replacements: ME -> 98 SE]

In the meantime you could just try to type this in the run box:

regsvr32 cabview.dll

Thanks loblo. MDGx can you remove WinMe version of cabview.dll it is the cause

of the broken extract function. All credit goes to loblo.

Hmm... strange.

I'm not using cabview.dll in 98SE2ME scripts to extract any files, I use only extract.exe 1.0.0610 (in native DOS + Windows = for 8.3 SFNs) + extrac32.exe 5.2.3790 (in Windows = for LFNs), and to my knowledge they both are stand alone executables.

And besides, I've always used cabview.dll from WinME with my Win98SE computer, and never had any problems.

But some internal INF functions that might need to use cabview.dll choke with the WinME version [which should not happen]... [?]

I'll have to test this in a virtual machine [hopefully soon] and will let you guys know...

Thanks for the feedback.

[98 FE + 98 SE + ME updates + patches + (hot)fixes]

Are you gonna update your host file s when you have some time?

I find them very useful.

I've sent you a PM about this subject.

[Better Softwares for specific situations in Windows 98]

2) Audio CDs + music [mp3, flac, ogg, wav, mid, etc]...

- I like foobar (older versions that work with 9x OSes), has lots of options, and supports old versions of add-ons/plug-ins (free) (thanks loblo) for even better customization. There is an ASIO add-on to bypass the software drivers and play directly thru the sound card hardware [if you have an Audigy or Audigy2 (powerful audio processor) it is the best solution], and another which allows 4 channels digital surround from any 2.0 stereo source.

- A simple but effective app to play strictly audio CDs is Deluxe CD Player: more info here.

- To play 5.1 surround audio like ac3, dts, mka, ts, I like MPC (Media Player Classic), because it is easy to set up if you have your sound card [for example SB Audigy/Audigy2/Live! 5.1] connected thru a digital coaxial/optical cable to a DD5.1/DTS stereo/amp + speakers system.

This MPC setup can also play movies/video, TV/HDTV, DVDs/Blu-Rays, etc in 5.1 surround sound, pure digital.

HTH

[98SE2ME = Killer Replacements: ME -> 98 SE]

Would it be possible to slipstream most of these updates into a rebuilt Windows install disc, or even manually replace them in the CABs?

Or... do most of the files require post-installation registry scripts to be run?

If there are some files that could be replaced manually (by rebuilding CAB with ME version) in the Windows 98 SE CABs, how would I know which ones are safe?

It should be possible, but with a lot of work.

The main problem is [if you're referring strictly to 98SE2ME] that WinME files from CD-ROM CABs are commercial software [under license], not allowed to distribute.

So if you'd like to build such CD/DVD, you need to do this on your own, only for your home computer(s).

To replace the files, it may work also if you just build a single [huge] CAB with all ME files [> 700] replaced by 98SE2ME option 2 (see list), and name it 0_982ME2.CAB [for example], the 1st character in the filename must come before any other original CAB name on the CD [1st one on the 98SE install CD is BASE4.CAB (WIN98 folder)].

Then you may also need to edit the SETUPPP.INF +/- LAYOUT*.INF [3 of them: LAYOUT.INF LAYOUT1.INF LAYOUT2.INF] files [using Notepad or better replacement] to add a line for each of your new CABs, if more than 1.

Individual filenames [some ME files may need additional files (not present on original 98SE install CD) to work properly, and/or some may have different names] may also need to be added on separate lines into those INFs.

Once edited, the INFs can be re-packed inside the new CABs.

Also [but not sure], 98SE setup routine may detect those INFs if they exist as separate files inside the WIN98 folder on CD, and if that is true, the stand alone files take precedence [they are used 1st] over the ones inside the CABs.

So I would do both: repack the edited INFs into CABs, and also add them as standalone files to your install folder on your new CD.

There are [of course] other considerations, you may need to go thru my 98SE2ME BAT + INF files with a fine comb, certain files might need "special care", like renaming their filenames in the INFs, +/- add "REGSVR32 /S" lines in the infs, custom registry entries, etc.

This is a tedious, time consuming job.

HTH

[98SE2ME = Killer Replacements: ME -> 98 SE]

I have a issue

I can not extract a file from a cab file after 98SE2ME is installed.

I think I fixed it.

Pls reinstall 98SE2ME, see if it works, and if it doesn't, pls post here or PM me.

Tx

I reverted the INFs back to the 1st version, that worked ok.

Was under the CustomDestination directive [CDF] section, replaced ",85" with ",5":

[DefaultInstall]
CustomDestination=CDF

[CDF]
49000,49001,49002=PFD,5
49300,49301,49302=MPD,5
49400,49401,49402=SKD,5

[98MP10 = WMP10 XP + XP SP3 Killer Replacements]

The new version creates this

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\CUSTSAT.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\MPLAYER2.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\WMPBAND.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\WMPNS.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\9SERIESD.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\COMPACT.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\QUICKSI.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\REVERT.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\WMP11.001

I think I found the fix. Was under the CustomDestination directive [CDF] section, replaced ",85" with ",5" [back to 1st version, the 1 that worked]:

[DefaultInstall]
CustomDestination=CDF

[CDF]
49000,49001,49002=PFD,5
49300,49301,49302=MPD,5
49400,49401,49402=SKD,5

Pls download + install 98MP10.EXE [9.1 MB] one more time, and pls let me know if still doesn't work ok.

Tx

PS:

98SE2ME had the same bug, fixed now.

[ExFat filesystem for Win 9x/ME]

looks like so far, nobody has been able to make an exfat driver for win9x/me, not even a read-only driver. tough luck on that one.

however, there is a possible DOS driver that may read exfat formatted volumes.

check it out here:

http://www.bttr-software.de/forum/mix_entry.php?id=7861

Thanks for the find.

Looks like we still have hopes, maybe 1 day exFAT will be available to 9x OSes. [native driver... any1?]

I've added the links here:

http://www.mdgx.com/drv.htm#LKU

and here:

http://www.mdgx.com/secrets.htm#NEW

HTH

[Windows 98/ME skin for Opera 10.50/60/70 and 11]

Good to hear since I am not using 10.63.

I use 10.70 build 9050 and they've changed something in the layout of speed dial which makes that my skin is not displaying enough spaces between elements. I have been too busy/lazy (pick the right one) to look into it until now but I'll do eventually.

When you update your skin, pls PM or e-mail me so I can update the link at my site.

Tx

[98MP10 = WMP10 XP + XP SP3 Killer Replacements]

The new version creates this

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\CUSTSAT.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\MPLAYER2.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\WMPBAND.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\WMPNS.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\9SERIESD.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\COMPACT.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\QUICKSI.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\REVERT.001

C:\PROGRAM\WINDOWS\SKINS\WMP11.001

I guess it's time to go back to the drawing board...

For that, I have to install 98SE in a virtual machine.

See next post 4 the fix...

[Windows 98: DOS & Swapfile Questions]

If any1 interested, I also share the same space for my swap files:

http://www.mdgx.com/newtip15.htm#MXSF

Aaaah... the good ol' days...

HTH

[Windows 98 disk management problem]

IEAK 6.0 SP1 (English) contains a newer version of cabarc.exe [build 5.1.2600.1106].

Actually, you should replace all older files from cabsdk.exe with the newer versions from IEAK 6.0 SP1, except for makecab.exe.

You should keep the old makecab.exe v1.00.0601 [from 1997] bundled with cabsdk.exe, because it does not have the current date/time stamp bug, like most newer makecab.exe versions do.

And it is safe [in my experience] to use even newer files from IEAK 6.0 SP3 [4.11 MB, all available languages (25) in separate ZIPs].

More info:

CAB SDK:

http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#CAB

IEAK:

http://www.mdgx.com/add.htm#IEA

HTH

[Windows XP instalation with USB keyboard]

I've been installing Windows XP using (almost) exclusively using USB keyboards since it came out in 2001.

All XP Editions I've used:

- XP OEM RTM (2001)

- XP retail RTM Professional (2001)

- XP retail RTM Home (2001)

- XP SP1 (+ MSJVM)/SP1a (without MSJVM) (2002)

- XP SP2 (2004)

- XP SP3 (2008)

installed ok on all computers with USB keyboards I've tested this on, without the need for a PS/2 (legacy) keyboard.

The trick is to enable all USB options including legacy, boot, native/real mode, etc [they differ depending on your mobo] in the BIOS setup before installing XP.

That means your motherboard BIOS has to support USB keyboards in native/real/true DOS mode ("smart" BIOSes load a native DOS mode USB driver), and to my knowledge all modern motherboards made in the past 5 years do so.

Also, make sure your keyboard doesn't have a Function lock, F-lock or similar (proprietary) key. If it does, make sure it is *not* enabled/pressed.

FYI:

To make it easier to install XP hands-free (heavily customized) with all available/current updates, drivers, applications + tools, you could use nLite (free) + the MSFN unattended XP setup guide.

More info @ my site, including how to customize some of those steps by hand.

HTH